adam79

Q: File Transfer - iPhone to Mac

Is there anyway to connect the iPhone to the computer and transfer files? It's beyond me how Apple doesn't incorporate a File Explorer into iOS. It's one of the main reasons I'm switching to an Android when my contract ends. Anyways, I was reading somewhere that there's something called jail break, and it allows u to view/transfer iPhone files on the computer. Is this a complicated procedure? Please Help!!!!


Thanks,

-Adam

iPhone 5s, iOS 8.4

Posted on Sep 6, 2015 4:25 PM

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Q: File Transfer - iPhone to Mac

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  • by elcpu,

    elcpu elcpu Sep 7, 2015 6:12 AM in response to FelipeV
    Level 6 (16,176 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Sep 7, 2015 6:12 AM in response to FelipeV

    Felipe,

    Thank you, you are right. The ad-hoc capability is all that would be needed. There are threads on this forum (and others) reporting difficulties with file size. I could not find any limits on the Apple instructions, but I found several references stating that while 1-2 GBs work well, anything above 8 tends to create issues. I have never sent anything that large, most of my transfers are smaller documents or photos. Are you aware of any limitations?

    Carlos

  • by FelipeV,

    FelipeV FelipeV Sep 7, 2015 7:23 AM in response to elcpu
    Level 5 (6,723 points)
    iPhone
    Sep 7, 2015 7:23 AM in response to elcpu

    elcpu wrote:

     

    Are you aware of any limitations?

     

    Not at the moment.

  • by adam79,

    adam79 adam79 Sep 7, 2015 7:27 AM in response to Drew Reece
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 7, 2015 7:27 AM in response to Drew Reece

    Drew Reece wrote:


    That's not true Meg, the OP wants to download OS X updates via iOS which can be achieved.

    iOS can download zips & some common formats for packaged software updates. Sadly Apple do browser detection on iOS & prevent it downloading Apple updates from support.apple.com/downloads. I did manage to use iOS to download the Quicktime installer for Windows, which ships as an '.exe'. I also grabbed a '.dmg' on iOS via the same method…

    You have to spoof a 'desktop' browser to view the download link on Apple.com (Dolphin browser or many others do it). Then paste that into GoodReaders 'Enter URL' download feature. Frankly this is a mess that has been created by Apple, who exactly is this helping? The files do not execute or open on iOS so it is seems inaccurate to say it is because of security.

     

    Android can download whatever you want & organise it in your own folder structure.

     

    GoodReader is intended for reading & handling many document types, adam79 take a look at that too…

    https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/goodreader/id777310222?mt=8

     

    Do you need to use GoodReader just when downloading something from the apple downloads page? I never knew that iphone blocked downloads from that page (I never tried). OS X updates aren't the only thing I'd be downloading. Also, does GR act like a file explorer? I'm just trying to figure out how I'd transfer the file to my computer once downloaded. I have an app called FileManager, but I don't think I have access to the files in it when syncing to iTunes.

  • by Drew Reece,Solvedanswer

    Drew Reece Drew Reece Sep 7, 2015 2:34 PM in response to adam79
    Level 5 (7,537 points)
    Notebooks
    Sep 7, 2015 2:34 PM in response to adam79

    adam79 wrote:

    Do you need to use GoodReader just when downloading something from the apple downloads page? I never knew that iphone blocked downloads from that page (I never tried). OS X updates aren't the only thing I'd be downloading.

     

    Also, does GR act like a file explorer? I'm just trying to figure out how I'd transfer the file to my computer once downloaded. I have an app called FileManager, but I don't think I have access to the files in it when syncing to iTunes.

    I used GoodReader because I had it handy & knew it could 'download from a URL'. Getting the URL is tricky on Apple.com…

    For mobile Safari you need to refresh as a 'desktop' site…

    http://www.idownloadblog.com/2014/06/19/ios-8-safari-request-desktop-site/

     

    iOS download BS.jpeg

     

     

    GoodReader has the ability to store & manage files in folders. You can browse the content on the device or extract files via iTunes sharing. it is not able to 'explore' the entire device because of the sandbox limitations, however it is enough for what you explained earlier.

     

    Is FileManager this app…

    https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/file-manager-free/id479295290?mt=8

     

    It's features note …

    - Supports iTunes USB File Sharing

    - Transfer files from your PC/Mac using Wi-Fi

    Either of those should allow access to downloaded files to a PC/Mac.

    Can you see the 'file sharing' section in iTunes when the device is connected? It is under the list of apps to be synced to the device.

  • by adam79,

    adam79 adam79 Sep 7, 2015 2:49 PM in response to Drew Reece
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 7, 2015 2:49 PM in response to Drew Reece

    Drew Reece wrote:

     

    Is FileManager this app…

    https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/file-manager-free/id479295290?mt=8

     

    It's features note …

    - Supports iTunes USB File Sharing

    - Transfer files from your PC/Mac using Wi-Fi

    Either of those should allow access to downloaded files to a PC/Mac.

    Can you see the 'file sharing' section in iTunes when the device is connected? It is under the list of apps to be synced to the device.

     

    I see what you're talking about. This makes a world of difference for me. I'm still not happy with how the iPhone is so forced integrated; Android is much more open and easily manipulated.

     

    So GoodReader is your go to File Explorer I assume? It seems cool, but I'm not looking to drop $5 on it, especially since I'm thinking about switching to Android when my contract ends in a couple months.

     

    Oh ya, that is the FileManager I use. Thanks again!

     

    <Edited by Host>

  • by Drew Reece,

    Drew Reece Drew Reece Sep 7, 2015 3:57 PM in response to adam79
    Level 5 (7,537 points)
    Notebooks
    Sep 7, 2015 3:57 PM in response to adam79

    adam79 wrote:

     

    So GoodReader is your go to File Explorer I assume? It seems cool, but I'm not looking to drop $5 on it, especially since I'm thinking about switching to Android when my contract ends in a couple months.

    I don't really use GoodReader for that, it's great for reading PDFs though

     

    I think FileManager will work for you, but you'll have to test it with certain file types, Dropbox also offered to handle the .dmg via a share sheet so that may be another option, however you don't need it's sync features, especially since can sync over the internet which would defeat the purpose.

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